Al will have to answer most questions; he's the one doing the majority of the legwork with the software.
No, we intend to use the free version. It appears the major difference between free and paid is the ability to remove Invision's logo and copyright. We'd want to promote the company anyway, so we opted to stay free.
We do intend to import as many skins as possible, giving each member a cornicopia of choices. It'll be a bit different, not "being in control" of the board look, but it will allow personalization....some of us having a fondness for LARGER type. we's old, what can I say?